Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2002-03: Played for the New England Coyotes of the EJHL Led the EJHL in scoring in with 58 points (28 goals, 30 assists) Earned EJHL Offensive Player of the Year Award and league MVP honors and was also named the MVP of the Top Prospects Tournament in 2002. Earned Hockey Night In Boston Junior Player of the Year.

2003-04: Selected to the U.S. National Junior Team Evaluation Camp (August 2003) but did not make WJC team. Named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team.

2004-05: His sophomore season with the Friars was interrupted by a knee injury but before that occurred he was a point per game player and the go-to guy in Providence’s line up. Upon his return, Providence experienced a late season run after not winning a game in his absence. In the playoffs, McDonald played center.

2005-06: Statistically his best college year, new head coach Tim Army allowed the club to open up more offensively which played to McDonald’s strengths. Appeared at Edmonton’s prospect camp in the middle of June.2006-07: In his final season with Providence College, McDonald tallied 13 goals and 17 points in 36 games. He finished with 43 goals and 77 points in 135 games as a Friar.

2007-08: This marked McDonald’s first season of professional hockey, which he spent with the Springfield Falcons (AHL). In 73 games, he recorded 12 goals and 23 points, along with 46 minutes in penalties.

Talent Analysis

McDonald has good physical skills and a deadly accurate shot but he needs to get himself into better position to use the shot more effectively. He is strong and aggressive down low and in the corners, goes hard to the net and brings a positive work ethic and energy to the table. However, he wasn’t supposed to be an energy player as a pro, he’s supposed to be a scorer. Another high character person, well-spoken and charismatic personality; very Jarret Stoll-like.

Future

A critical year coming up for McDonald as it’s the last of his entry-level contract. He was a jack-of-all-trades for the Falcons last season but has to establish himself as a top-six player in the AHL this year.

Share this story

World Junior Championships

Jamie Lundmark and team Canada have played 1 game since I last updated. Lundmark scored 2 goals in an 8-4 win over Switzerland today. Lundmark currenlty has 5 points (3 goals, 2 assists) and 2 penalty minutes in 4 games so far. He is tied for 1st on the team in points with forward Mike Cammalleri and is tied for 5th in the whole tournament, with 11 other players, with his 5 points.. Canada is currently 2-1-1 as the opening round comes to a close. They face team USA in their next game.

Pavel Brendl and the Czech Republic have played one game since I last updated. The Czech’s defeated Slovakia today by a score of 5-0. Brendl was the star of the game for the Czech Republic, as he registered a goal and 3 assists in the game. Brendl currently has 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists) and 4 penalty minutes in 4 games so far. He leads the Czech Republic and the whole tournament with his 7 points. The Czech Republic is currently 4-0-0. They face Sven Helfenstein and team Switzerland in their next game.

Sven Helfenstein and team Switzerland have played 1 game since I last updated. Helfenstein was held scoreless in an 8-4 loss to team Canada. He got his name on the scoresheet however as he did take a penalty during the game. Helfenstein currently has 2 points (2 goals) and 4 penalty minutes in 4 games so far. Switzerland’s record is 1-2-1. Helfenstein and Switzerland take on the Czech Republic in their next game.

Share this story

The New York Islanders are supposed to be better then they are
playing.
As everybody knows when things don’t go right roster moves are made. It
is
now Juraj Kolnik’s turn. The former Rimouski Oceanic Star is due to make
his
NHL Debut against the Atlanta Thrashers on December 29. Kolnik who just
turned 20 on November 13th is a childhood friend of Islanders defensemen
Branislav Mezei. Both grew up in Nitra,Slovakia. Kolnik is hoping to
duplicate the success of former Rimouski grads Vincent Lecavalier and
Brad
Richards, both are currently playing with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Since
98-99 Kolnik has had 190 points in 109 QMJHL games. He has split time
this
year with Lowell and Springfield of the American Hockey League. Kolnik
is a
amazing offensive player with great skills. His problem is defense. He
has a
one track mind, offense and nothing else. The Islanders can’t score and they give up too many
goals. If
Kolnik can help them in any form the Islanders will be thrilled. Yet
Kolnik
alone can’t put them in the playoffs. The Islanders need a lot of help.
Maybe
General Manager Mike Milbury can get them help in some trades.

Share this story

Another in a series of weekly articles summarizing activity in Leafland during the previous 7 days – with some personal observations, commentary, prospect updates and fun thrown in for good measure.

Catching up: December 16th – the Maple Leafs fall to Calgary in overtime 6-5 … December 19th – defenseman Nathan Dempsey was dispatched to St. John’s despite some very solid play in 8 games with the team … the move was made in order to maintain optimum roster flexibility as waivers would have been required in order to return Dempsey to the Rock following 10 NHL starts … rookie Petr Svoboda is recalled in order to fill Dempsey’s spot and produces decidedly mixed results in the ensuing games … December 20th – the Leafs are stoned by Mike Dunham and fall to Nashville at home 3-1 … December 21st – Boston shuts out Toronto 4-0 and only Tie Domi seems concerned … December 23rd – the Leafs provide their fans with the only gift of the Christmas season with a convincing 5-2 victory over the Habs in Montreal … December 26th – rookie goaler Milan Hnilicka backstops the Thrashers to a 5-3 win over Toronto in Atlanta … December 27th – the Maple Leafs send a belated Christmas gift to NHL headquarters at Mario Lemieux’s homecoming party by neglecting to defend against the superstar in any meaningful way as the Pens embarrass Toronto 5-0 … December 28th – Captain Sundin calls for a shake-up of his struggling (I would have used a much saltier word) team as many thousands of Maple Leafs Read more»

Share this story

Before the teams went out on the ice, it was clear that this game will influent the final
standings of the Group A. The winner of this game will be the winner of the group and will
meet the fourth best team of the Group B in the quarterfinals and so has a better chance to
qualify for the semifinals. All players and coaches were aware of this fact. Jaroslav Holik
told the Czech guys to play defensively responsible and not to take bad penalties just like in
the previous two games. The US guys know how to play powerplay and too many minutes with a man
in the penalty box cost strength, which is needed in the last minutes. The US squad is maybe
the hardest opponent the Czechs have to face in the group and they had to prepare for this game
with a video session. The US goalie is one of the biggest prospects in all of hockey, Rick
DiPietro, first man taken overall at the 2000 NHL draft, the defense boasts first rounders
Paul Martin and Ron Hainsey the front line the likes of Jeff Taffe, Brett Nowak, Andy Hilbert,
Kris Vernarsky, Damian Surma or Jon DiSalvatore. Along with 2001 top prospects Tim Gleason and
Mike Komisarek at defense and David Steckel with R.J. Umberger at offense.

Head coach Jaroslav Holik started the game with using 3 lines, the fourth line which played well
against Kazakhstan was benched again. The USA squad played its typical aggressive, hard, in-your-
face style of hockey with great forechecking, but the Czechs knew what was waiting for them.
And they made the best thing possible, Pavel Brendl grabbed the puck, avoided the hit and Read more»